Description
These Iraqi lamb kofta kebabs are a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring spiced lamb meatballs grilled to perfection and served on a bed of roasted cumin-scented aubergines drizzled with harissa butter. The kebabs are garnished with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds and pair wonderfully with traditional sides like hummus, fattoush salad, flatbreads, and tzatziki, making for a vibrant, aromatic, and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Aubergines
- 6 baby aubergines
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
- 75g butter
- 2 tbsp harissa
For the Kofta Kebabs
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
- Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 2 shallots, roughly chopped
- Small handful of parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 mint sprigs, leaves picked and roughly chopped
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 500g lamb mince
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander (additional)
- 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To Serve (Optional)
- Hummus
- Fattoush salad
- Flatbreads
- Tzatziki
Instructions
- Prepare and roast the aubergines: Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4. Slice the aubergines in half lengthways and score the flesh crosswise without cutting through the skin. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ground cumin, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Brush this mixture over the aubergine halves and place them on a baking tray. Roast in the oven for 45 minutes or until the aubergines are tender and cooked through.
- Make the harissa butter: While the aubergines roast, melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the harissa and a pinch of salt, frying gently for a few minutes to combine the flavors. Set aside.
- Make the kofta spice mix: In a food processor, combine garlic, ginger, shallots, parsley, half of the mint leaves, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, tomato purée, 1 tsp salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blitz until finely chopped, about 30 seconds.
- Mix the lamb kofta: Transfer the spice mixture to a large bowl. Add the lamb mince and stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly, forming a spiced lamb mixture.
- Prepare the skewers: If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Form the kofta kebabs: Take rough handfuls of the lamb mixture and mold them into meatballs. Thread these meatballs onto the skewers, then roll each meatball gently in your hands to shape them into an elongated, egg-like form until all mixture is used.
- Grill the kofta: Preheat the grill to high. Place the kofta kebabs on a grill rack or tray and grill for about 6 minutes on one side. Turn and grill for another 6 minutes or until the kofta is cooked through and browned on the outside.
- Finish the aubergines: Remove the roasted aubergines from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle the harissa butter evenly over the hot aubergines to infuse rich flavor.
- Assemble and garnish: Place the grilled kofta kebabs atop the aubergines. Scatter the remaining chopped mint, coriander, and pomegranate seeds over the dish for freshness and a burst of color.
- Serve: Serve the dish warm alongside optional sides such as hummus, fattoush salad, flatbreads, and tzatziki to complement the flavors.
Notes
- If you don’t have a grill, kofta can be cooked under a hot broiler or on a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Soaking bamboo skewers before grilling prevents them from burning.
- The harissa butter adds a spicy and rich flavor that can be adjusted by modifying the amount of harissa used.
- Feel free to substitute lamb mince with beef or a mix of beef and lamb for a different flavor profile.
- The dish pairs beautifully with fresh salads and creamy dips to balance the spiced meat.
- Leftover kofta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently to maintain juiciness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Iraqi lamb kofta, lamb kebabs, Middle Eastern kofta, grilled lamb meatballs, roasted aubergines, harissa butter, spiced lamb kebabs
